Monday, 22nd March 2010 at 14:54

Out with the old and in with the new: The first signs of the New Generation Festival's imminent landing are already visible around the resort, from -- you guessed it -- sky blue banners around the hub to a Monster repaint and the first boutique marquee.,

Another year, another set of sky blue banners? Spot on. For the fourth year running, we’re welcomed onto the resort hub — and again and again through Fantasia Gardens and Front Lot — by banners featuring the year’s theme logo and the word “Welcome” in a variety of languages:

The almost identical in design Mickey’s Magical Party banners have been switched out for these new canvas banners on every lamppost in sight, alternating between the French and English logos.

Are these just unoriginal, or is blue just a nice, neutral colour that works for both parks?

Either way, there’s one plus for this year’s batch of near-identical banners — they’re slightly less identical. In Front Lot, there are several designs featuring just the New Generation characters, such as Mike Wazowski, Buzz Lightyear and that ten-year-old alien who won’t ever take a break, Stitch.

Different designs or not, it’s quite an overwhelming invasion…

What is this festival called again?!

Back at Front Lot, we’re seeing the Walt Disney Studios Store entrance being “toyed” with again, as the first temporary marquee in over a year has appeared to tempt more people inside the boutique. It’s the first New Generation Festival store decoration so far, coming just days after the old Magical Party marquee disappeared from The Emporium.

Though the Little Green Men and Stitch are flat 2D designs, Slinky Dog is partially in 3D, his springy body wrapping around the entrance. Inside, you can of course pick up your very own Slinky toy.

Inside the park, the Monsters Inc. Scream Scene near the entrance of Toon Studio has been closed for several weeks to allow preparations for its starring role in the year ahead. The ‘Scream Monitors’ signage has been taken away and returned for refurbishment, and the fun yellow floor markings have been completely repainted.

In fact, though the corner is being included in the “new” features for the year, it has been in place for so long (since 2006) that the “Child Detection Agency – Scream Scene” paint had completely worn away.

As we reported at the end of January, the ‘Monsters Inc. Scream Academy’ listed in brochures and press releases was originally meant to be a brand new show that was cancelled just days before auditions. We’ve since leant that the show, which would have featured a live host inviting guests to dance and scream with the Monsters, was actually set to happen not in this tight corner but on a separate travelling stage, similar to the High School Musical shows.

Though the ‘Monsters Inc. Scream Academy’ hasn’t been removed from advertising, we now have to assume that’s the new name for the photo location, the preview videos have been made incredibly vague and all mentions are very careful never to mention the word “new”…

At least with Sully (the only live Monsters character we’ve seen at Disneyland Paris since 2002), expected to be rejoined by Mike and — for the first time — Boo (dressed up in her Monster disguise) for the Disney Showtime Spectacular over at Disneyland Park, these extra characters could hop over in between to provide something “new” here after all.

Im going to Disneyland in a weeks time for the first time and can`t wait!! The only thing im a little concerned about is the state of the studios. There is so much work going on which means those temporary “walls” have gone up around S..T.T and Monsters inc, which spoils the beauty of the park really!! But it still doesn’t put me off!! CANT WAIT TO GO!!

Loving the marquee over the store – really good. As for the banners, I don’t think that they look all that bad (I quite like them – cheap or not) however there does seem a few too many at the entrance lol.

Can’t wait ’til I go in August – New Gen Festival I think is a great idea!

craig shaw, I really disagree with you. Since 1992 we can almost see the same characters year after year! Everytime I visited DLRP I saw almost the full “classic cast” and some other old characters like Rafiki, the twins from Alice, Sulley, Woody and a few others. I think it is already time to see something new! I mean, the kids that now go to DLRP are not kids from the time of Alice in Wonderland or The Lion King, they are kids from the time of Stitch and some other Pixar movies! I think that one year dedicated to the new generation is great because, when this year is over, I dont think that DLRP will throw away the new characters created for this season. Even though DLRP has been added new characters since its opening (like Sulley or Stitch) I think we need something new, like Wall – E or the old man from Up (I’d love to get a photo with the guy :p, but I dont think that will happen, even with this festival).

I can’t wait for NGF and I hope I can go to DLRP this year.
I respect your opinion and I don’t want you to think that I’m being rude, sorry. :)

As i have already been and seen the NGF i would have to say it was fantastic ! Much more entertaining….although i did like Mickeys Magical Party the NGF really is a step up more interaction at the front of the castle from the characters…….photo`s galore they even allow you to have pictures taken with them while they are waiting to go on stage !! I say well done Disney it is fab !!! Can`t wait to go back to see it all again !

Dsil, no problem, it was my first time last year, and im from the old school cartoons. but as you say cant have same old same old every year. just id have like to see more original old school charcters. Your not beng rude at all :-)

Some items copyright Disney. This website is independent of and not supported, endorsed by or connected to Disneyland Paris,The Walt Disney Company, Euro Disney Associés S.C.A., Disney Enterprises, Inc. or their subsidiaries and affiliates.